Float



Jan. 14, 1930.

w. RQBERTsoN. JR

FLOAT :Filed'nay 1s, 1929 INVENTOR. gzm mgm BY 4 Mme/)4 l r 4H v ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 174, 1930 UNITED STATESv WILLIAM ROBERTSON, JR., OF PLATTE CITY, MISSOURI FLOAT Application filed May 13,

My invention relates t-o improvements in floats adapted for sport use and which can be used as a sail boat.

One of the objects of my invention is the provision Vof a float of 'the kind described, which is cheap, simple, durable, not likely to get out of order, which is light, collapsible, readily adapted for storing in compact form and for easy transportation. q A further object of my invention is the *O provision of novel forming and bracing means by which the form of the float is adapted -to be changed and firmly retained' in the form given it. My invention provides further novel means la for supporting a mast and a rudder. The novel features of my invention are hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate the preferredy embodiment of my invention, Y

Fig. 1 is a plan view of my improved float provided with a mast and rudder and having the cross bracing members centrally disposed.

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the float showing the `cross bracing members disposed adjacent to one end of the longitudinal bracing means.

Similar reference characters designate similar parts in the dierent views.

1 designates an annular inflatable tube,

such as the inner tube of a tire, provided with the usual air filling tube 2. 35 The tube 1 is held in desired form partly by longitudinal forming and bracing means comprising the following described parts, referring particularly to Figs. 1 to 3'.

3 and 4 designate two shoes adapted to removably engage opposite inner sides of the tube 1, the outer sides of the shoes being 'concave to receive the tube 1. Said shoes 3 and 4 are respectively provided with tubular longitudinal central stems 5 and 6.

7 designates a T member which is adapted for longitudinal adjustment between the shoes 3 and 4 and through which extends a removable member 8, one end of which has fastened to it a coupling tube 9 in which is removably mounted one end of a member 10, the

1929. Serial No. 362,470.

other end of which is removably mounted in the stem 5.

- The other end of the member 8 is removably mounted in a tubular coupling member 11 which is fastened to one end of a member 12, r u the other end of which is removably mounted W in the stem 6.

Two cross bracing members 13 and 14 have their inner ends respectively tted in the cross arms of the T member 7, the outer ends of the members 13 and 14 being respectively removably mounted in two inwardly extending tubular stems 15 and 16 with which two shoes 17 and 18, 'corresponding in form to the shoes 3 and 4 are provided. The shoes 17 and 18 respectively engage opposite inner sides of L the tube 1. n

The stem 5 of the shoe 3 is provided with an upwardly extending tubular projection 19 which serves asa step for a mast, which may comprise a lower' member 20 mounted in the step 19 in which is it releasably held by a transverse pin 21 removably mounted in a hole which extends through the member'20 and the step 19. h

rIhe upper end of the member has secured to it a tubular coupling member 22 in which is removably fitted the lower end of an upper mast member 23, which is releasably held by a removable pin 24 in the coupling member 22.

A ring 25 on the upper'end of the mast member 23 has fastened to it the peak of a triangular sail 26, the lower edge of which is fastened to. a boom 27 removably pivoted to 8. one end of the lower mast member 20, and having fastened to its other end a rope 23 by which the boom is operated in the usual manner.

In assembling the parts, the tube 1 is first in a deflated condition, mounted on the shoes 3, 4, 17 and 18, the parts having been assembled, as for example, as is shown in Fig. 1. The tube 1 is then iniiated in the usual manner through the filling tube 2.

Depending from the stem 6 of the rear shoe Y4, is a pin 29 on which is pivotally mounted a rudder 30, which is provided with a tiller 31.

In the operation of the float, as above assembled, tlie operator sits on the rear end of the float with the rope 28 in hand and the rudder tiller within easy reach. The iloat is then operated for sailing purposes after the usual manner of operating sloops.

If desired, to provide greater width at the rear for the-convenience of the operator, the parts maybe assembled, as shown in Fig. 4, with the rear end of the member Slittedin the stem 6, kthe rear end'of `the member 12 tted in the coupling member 9, and the rear Y end of the member 10 fitted in the coupling member l1. VThis arrangement will remove the'cross members I3 and'llV and the shoes I7' .and 18 from the central position shown `in F ig. l to near the rear of'thefloa'as shown in Fig. 4. Y

When it is desired to store or transport the float, the Atube lis deflated, andthe deachable parts may then be disassembledfor compact form; f

Also, ifdesired, the float maybe used withoutthe mast, sail, boom and rudder.y

I do not limitiny invention to the specilic i' structure shown and described, as modifications, within the scope of the Aappended claims, may be made without departing from the spiritof myinvention.

1. Afloat ofthe 'kind described,`compris ing an annularinllatable tube, longitudinal forming means engaging opposite inner sides of the tube and including a T member,

vand two cross bracing'members respectively l engaging Ithe arms of said T and respectively engaging opposite-inner sides of thetube.

2. A {loat of the kind described, comprising an annular inflatable tube, lforming means engagingy opposite inner sides of said tube and including a longitudinally-adjust- Vable T member, and two cross bracing mem- 1 bers respectively engaging opposlte inner sides. of saidv tube and adjustable lengthwise of said Aforming means and respectively` en- -gaging the arms of said T member.

3. A oat of the kind described, comprising an annular inflatable-tube, longitudinal forming means having at opposite ends respectively two shoes engaging opposite'inner sides of said tube, and-two cross bracing members adjustable lengthwise ofand enf gaging said forming means and vrespectively provided with two shoes engaging opposite inner side of said tube.

4. A float of the kind described, comprising 'an inflatable annular tube, longitudinal forming means includingtwo shoes respectivelyiengaging opposite inner sides of said ing an annular inflatable tube, longitudinal forming means includng two shoes respectively engaging opposite inner sides of said tube and members connectin including a T member, one o said shoes having a mast step and the other shoe having means `for supporting a ruddenfand cross bracing means engaglng thel arms off-said T vmember and opposite inner sides ofsaid tube.

6. A float of the kind described, compris- .ing an annular inflatable tube, longitudinal forming means including two shoes` respectivelyengaging-opposite inner sides of said spectivelyfengaging'the armsxofsaid'T member and'oppositeinner sides-of said tube, a mast removablyxmounted on said'mast step and la lrudder mounted on -said frudder supporting means.

In testimony whereof I have signed ymy name to vthis specification.

VILLIAM ROBERTSON,.JUN1OR.

tube and members connecting said shoes and Y includin a T member, and two cross bracing-mem ers respectively engaging the arms of said T member and having two shoes respectively engaging opposite inner sides of said tube.

5. A float of the kind described, comprissaid shoes and l' 

